911 Memorial Service 2024 at St. Pius X Church, Plainview, NY

please [Music] rise we have the first posting of colors restart pledge pledge allegiance to flag of the United States of America for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all please be seated open for [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] him oh [Music] be be [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] be don't know be a [Music] [Applause] have that station [Music] good evening everyone good evening ladies and gentlemen his team leaders of various Faith communities distinguished guest and our dear congregation it is my profound honor to stand before you this evening as a pastor of the S by the T Parish on behalf of the pl old bed page interf clergy Council and I esteem president Rabbi Elizabeth zal we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you as We Gather for this special evening of remembrance and peace tonight we are privileged to be joined by leaders from diverse religious backgrounds each guiding their own congregations in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment shortly they will introduce themselves and offer their prayers and blessings we are also honored to welcome notable individuals including New York state senator Steve roads who also serves as a youth Minister here in this parish and was previously the ex captain of the V fire department additionally we have a county legislator Mr eral trucker representatives from the pl view old page chamber Commerce the town of Oyster Bay and the chips of the wfw and the American Legion we also welcome our young leaders from the boys and girls CS members of the various congregation and also tonight we are present the pl view far department members then our talented voices from PL view old page JFK High School choir under the PN of Adam pich and kenaki and her father Mr John Yaki our music director at St p and we also grateful for the presence of our event planner Claudia Stewart and the St P 10 youth group members my dear friends this evening we come together to Mark the anniversary of one of the most devastating Terror attacks on us soil and even that has left an indelible mark on our world the impact of September 11 2001 has been felt globally alerting our sense of security shaping our Collective memory as We Gather this sacred spee to pray and reflect let's remember that the original Services held in the apat of 911 were solemn funerals for our loved ones in those moments of collecting grief we sought Solace closure and hope tonight on the 23rd anniversary of that M tragic day we have the opportunity to pause reflect and reaffirm our faith in times like this our faith communities reminds us that God remains steadfast and despite the challenges we Face life endures we come together to support one another find strength in unity and honor the m of those we lost through our shared faith and love and resilience we can find light even the darkest of times thank you all for joining us in this important moment of reflection and prayer may our Gatherings tonight provide Comfort healing and renewed hope as you remember 911 and strive for a more peaceful world please hold your applause until after the service this time like to invite a choir sing Stars Bango banner and we all will rise [Music] can you see by the Light what sooud we the Twilight who and bright star through [Music] the streaming and The Rock theing in through night flag was still there oh us that [Music] St for the of the free the of great [Music] [Music] opening prayer almighty God as we mark this day we recall the tragic events of 91 be present with us as we grieve for both known and unknown lives lost may this day bring healing and Tranquility to each of us grant us the courage to reject hatred and fear standing United with the peacemakers across the world across beliefs and backgrounds ensuring such a sorrow never occurs amen [Music] om [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] oh oh mother may your pure divine light illuminate us mentally physically and morally spiritually please remove us from the darkness and give us the true knowledge om Shanty Shanty shanty [Music] may all become happy may all free from illness may all see what is spicious May no one suffer oh peace om peace oh peace behalf of asay Mand president Sunder baj and trusty Nanda sundri here and the behalf of the all Community I'm going to pray who lost their life in 911 and I pray the all family member God bless you God bless United States of America and God bless to all thank you reading from the gospel of Matthew chapter 5 verse 2 to [Music] Second Jesus began to speak we and taught them saying blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted blessed are the meek for they will be inherit the earth blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled bless blessed are the merciful for They will receive Mercy blessed are the poor pure in heart for they will see God blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven blessed are you when people revil you and Pur persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven Gospel of the lordus Christ good evening everybody today is the day where you remember our last ones loved ones and the M it of the tragedy is still very M it in front of our eyes and that's why we 911 comes we all get together and pray and then this will happen again and we all pray to each other love each other that's main thing of so our Holy Scripture says [Music] we're all children of the same one almighty God that is the source of all guidance when in doubt we ask to be given the virtues of noar and no the one God is our father and we are the children of the one God you are you are our Guru the one who brings us from Darkness to light [Music] listen my friends my soul is a sacrifice a sacrifice to you oh Lord reveal to me the Blessed vision of your appearance thank you for this say God Bless America let's keep the love float everywhere so the tragics are not shouldn't hurt us nobody wants to get hurt thank you very much for listening have a good good evening God bless we gathered together together tonight to remember all the victims of the horrific 9911 attacks and even as we do um for some of us there are some very personal connections as well i' like to dedicate my reading from Jewish tradition from the midrash to Adam ruhalter of blessed memory who was a member member of our community plan Jewish Center who died in the World Trade Center attack 23 years ago today r walked through Jerusalem alongside Rabbi yahushua they gazed upon the remains of the Holy Temple which had been destroyed by the Romans Rabbi yosua expressed sorrow saying it is a great loss that the temple is no more it was the singular place where we could seek reconciliation with God in response Rabbi yanan Ben zakai comforted him saying my dear friend please do not be disheartened although the temple is gone there exists an alternative Pathway to reconnect with God much akin to the temple itself do you know what that pathway is it lies within acts of compassion and kindness the truth is echoed in the words of the prophet hos for I desire kindness not sacrifices [Music] [Applause] my name is and I belong to J mid bmore and I would like to recite one verse of the Quran before you and two three sayings of Muhammad sallahu alaihi wasallam [Music] [Applause] [Music] a for [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] in [Music] Allah subhah Waal says in this verse do not call those who are assassinated or killed in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala don't call that they are de but they are alive but you do not perceive their life and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in this world we test you we examine you sometime in the less of M of the wealth less of souls less of uh fruits but Allah says give glad Tiding to those who show patience who are patient whenever they face any Affliction any kind of distress so they say in we belong to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and verely to him we have to return may Allah subhah wa now I would like to say a few you number one the prophet says a complete and perfect Muslim is one from whom tongue and hand people are safe number two the prophet s said all creates are Allah's defendant and the most beloved of Creations to Allah is the one who is good to his dependence in one said whoever is deived of gentleness is deprived of goodness my dear brothers you are sitting over here may Allah subhah Waal give us make unable us to show to to follow the right path those persons who died on 911 so it definitely it's a great you can say disaster for all human being Islam is the name of peace and uh My Religion even does not allow me to abuse anyone in one saying of prophet s has said the rooster when he calls in the daytime even don't abuse him don't abuse it because basically he is waking you up to worship Allah subhana tala so may Allah subhana give us and those Souls you who died in this incident may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala uh give them peace tranquility and may Allah subhah waala give us us to show patience [Applause] while the uh prayer that I offer is titled the firefighters 23rd PSAL it's a prayer that's offered on behalf of all of our First Responders who gave their lives on September 11 2001 our NYPD officers our FDNY firefighters and medical personnel Court Authority police department and our court officers the Lord is my chief and he chose me to serve he guides me to calm the turmoil around me he renews my spirit to persevere in adversity he readies me for a purposeful life full of service honor joy and companionship he fills my spirit with bravery in the face of challenges even in life's darkest moments I will not be afraid for he is by my side his strength consoles me and when my journey ends I will rest in the home of the Lord eternity amen amen tonight we have a speaker speaker add is the conation good evening so Bishop Mike Campbell planned to be here tonight who was called away for work and was unable to make it uh Mike has a nice full head of hair he's clean shaven and handsome but the good Lord has blessed me with just the opposite uh no one will ever get us confused but nonetheless I am here in his place my name is Jody Williams and I have ecclesiastical responsibility to help oversee and serve the local Congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of lday saints you might know us better by some nicknames latterday Saints or Mormons which is a reference to an ancient book of scripture we use called The Book of Mormon um I'm grateful this for this opportunity to share a few thoughts tonight uh my family and I moved to New York almost 4 years ago uh in December 2020 we were excited and nervous about the move um my family had never been to New York before and I had visited once um I think I got the wrong impression about what New York was all about by what I thought was a rude welcome on the liie I came a few weeks ahead of my family to find a place to live uh but also had a chance to explore the city kind of by myself the very first thing that I went to see was the 911 memorial and Museum um that was a memorable and emotional visit for me that left a permanent impression as a new New Yorker I better understood the relationship between the people here in that horrific event I love the Interfaith services in this Interfaith community that I've been able to be a part of since moving here I recognize that there are some differences in our face but in the big picture we have much more in common uh with each other than different es in Matthew 7 Jesus Christ teaches us to seek and ye shall find to knock and it shall be opened unto you to earnestly seek we must open our eyes we must have an open mind and be willing to listen to others I appreciate this form that gives us a chance to open to enhance our eyes that see and learn from each other's perspectives experiences and beliefs in the latterday sa faith we believe that God is the father of us all regardless of race gender ethnicity or religion and with that understanding we are all therefore brothers and sisters experiencing the joys and pains the struggles and triumphs of this Earthly journey together and we should treat each other as brothers and sisters one unique aspect of our church is that we have some additional scripture beyond the Old and New Testament U that we learn from in the Book of Mormon which which I mentioned earlier an ancient Prophet named King Benjamin taught that the Lord himself comprehends and feels the effects of genuine and heartfelt acts of service no matter who the recipient might be he taught that when you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God it matters how we treat one another we strive to comfort to build up and encourage our fellow men particularly those that are suffering as I know all of you do today the world remembers the tragic events of September 11th 2001 some 23 years ago and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are still shocked and dismayed at the infamy of those cowardly attacks I'm sure each one of us holds Vivid memories of where we were and what we were doing on that particular morning I was serving in the Navy I had recently completed operational deployments to the Arabian Gulf in 1996 1997 in Afghanistan in 1998 1999 my last job in the Navy um I had the opportunity to teach at the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland um I was very familiar with the threats uh the latest in theater threats and so I got a chance to go back and teach leadership and Military strategy classes there uh coincidentally our topic for the week of 91 11 was asymmetrical Warfare or unconventional warfare I was just wrapping up my class when the first airplane hit the North Tower we had a single TV in the academic building uh that I was in was across the hall from my classroom a few of us filed into the conference room curious about what I thought at the time was a terrible accident then 19 minutes later when the second airplane hit the South Tower I realized that this was no accident and we then heard of flight 77 crashing into the Pentagon and Flight 93 plow into an empty field in Pennsylvania within the next hour derailed from its planned Target as you can imagine being in a military environment with very young future United States Marine Corps and naval officers um brought many kinds of emotions for these young men and women there was a very palpable realization that for all of them over the next few years of their life their service was going to take on a very different tone with greater importance and meaning that they may not have comprehended before as a side note I also served on the admissions board at the at the Naval Academy in 2000 we had roughly 14,000 applicants for about a th000 spots there was some concern that dur during war time think Vietnam uh applications may drop at our service cies after 911 the applicants jumped to about 40,000 for the same 1,000 spots I think this is a testament to the resolve of the American people and demonstrates the spirit of willingness to serve and to do the hard work required to maintain the freedoms that we enjoy I have deep respect and appreciation for those who are willing to go In Harm's Way to protect me and my family including emergency response teams our firemen our police and medical workers in addition to our military service members during those next few days and weeks there were many stories that came to light of the heroic acts of men and women whose courage and selflessness were manifest on that terrible day so many innocent people lost their lives 2977 2,977 people with hope hopes and dreams and Bright Beautiful Futures that were erased I think about so many friends and families that have been deprived of their loved ones especially for New Yorkers where each each one of you have very personal experiences with the loss of close friends neighbors family members and loved ones so my my youngest son is uh in high school and he he came home home he had a homework assignment last night and he was to interview someone who would share their thoughts on the events of 911 the last question on his list was what does it mean to never forget today we pause to remember and join and tribute to both those whose lives were taken and those who have carried on so bravely in their absence as tragic as that day was we also saw how the people of this great country responded we see that much good has come out of these uh those Dreadful circumstances from the Smoke and Ashes of New York Washington DC Pennsylvania and other areas of the world has arisen a greater sense of unity and purpose in providing for the freedom and security of all people we endorse support and courage and want to participate in the righteous efforts of God-fearing people everywhere in this important Endeavor Jeff pares who started the foundation uh named New York says thank you whose mission is to build hope and provide healing to people around the world as a way to continually pay it forward for the humanity kindness and volunteer Spirit New Yorkers and all Americans experienced on 912 I love his quote when Americans lend a hand to one another nothing is impossible we're not about what happen happened on 911 we're about what happened on 9912 brothers and sisters thank you for coming thank you for your efforts and participation in the Interfaith Community I pray that we will continue to seek for greater understanding and tolerance and work together to support and help our fellow men and I pray that we will remember King James sorry King Benjamin's that teaching that when we in when we are in the service of one another we are in the service of God let us never forget may God bless each of you thank you [Music] who can say you're certain maybe you're still here I feel you all around me your memor so clear deep in Stillness I can hear you speak you're still an inspiration can it be you are for love and you are watching over me from above up to you are be all distance I wish a tonight to hear you SM you're fall for to more Breath Away not far to where you are are you gently sleeping here inside my dreams and isn't Faith all power can't be seen as my heart holds you just one feet away I cherish all you gave me every day cuz you are my forever love watching me from up [Music] above I believe that just and I love will B me [Music] we up to where you are be all the distance time I wish up home tonight to see you you me for a while to know you there our breath aways not far to you [Music] are I know you're there a breath aways not far to where you are [Music] as our names are announced I'll ask everyone to please arise and every Nam and call and fail we pray for as has become our tradition annually we offer up a reading of the names of those Nasa County volunteer firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th as well as those who have perished since and so every year we hear these names and perhaps if you've been to our services in previous years you might remember or hear some of these names I hope that tonight they become more than names because we are also taught that a life is as though it is an entire universe and what life is lost is as if that world is lost their families their loved ones grieve them and we grieve the potential we grieve the service of who they were we grieve their contributions in the world so we remember them tonight fondly with love and with gratitude Jerry bayro new hide Park Robert d'angeles Jr Lake VI Richard Delona Westberry Keith G fairben Floral Park Lee s failing [Applause] wo James fog new High Park Ronnie G mer Thomas J hsel Franklin Square and mson Brian C hicky Beth pagee George G Howard Hicksville Joseph G Hunter South Hampstead Jonathan ippi Great Neck Vigilant Thomas E Jurgens Meir Park Ronald T Kerwin levit town Michael M Keir Hempstead Robert Langer Westberry Peter langone rosin rescue Thomas Lango rosin rescue Danny Levy PL view Michael montessi new High Park Richard team old dowy Jr Freeport John starel new hide Park derell me pel Jr Hemstead Kevin M prior bmore Adam M Rand Belmore Kenneth F rice III and now we remember all those civilians who perish as well especially thinking of Alan V Upton Manhattan Thomas Farley Northport and Steve poino PL please be seated [Applause] [Music] when you're [Music] we feeling SW when tears are in your eyes I try them [Music] all I'm on your side oh when times get R and friends [Applause] just like a bra over troubl water I will L my coverage oh over troubl water I will lay me [Music] down when you're down l when you're on the street when fall some I will comfort you I take your part W when darkness comes and pain is all around like a BRI over trouble I will lay me down [Music] like trouble on us I will l me down like TR I will let me down [Music] all of the darkness so many years ago we find light we find ways of coming together as a community to be able to hold one another up through acts of h of kindness and SED of righteousness and ultimately we find our path to Shalom to a path of peace prayers of the people compassionate God we remember this day as an affirmation of our faith in your unwavering ability to bring love Justice and mercy amidst life's uncertainties be with us as we pray for our world a world you cherish we say reconciling God Empower [Music] us we also pray for our nation for Joseph our president and comma our vice president we pray for those in Congress and the Supreme Court as well as all in positions of authority May their wisdom be equal to the enduring changes that emerged from September 11th 2001 one grant them The Bravery to lead us as a United people confident in our freedom so we can live fearlessly and without bias reconciling God Empower [Music] us we seek guidance for world leaders that they may Champion Justice and mercy may they cast aside old animosities and present grievances for the well-being of today's citizens the honor of History's contributors and the prosperity of generations to come reconciling God Empower us we remember those passing away and those who have already passed asking for their peaceful rest May their lives not fade unnoticed but instead radiate a new light dispelling our complacency and Illuminating The Compassion we must embody reconciling God empower usy okay good evening so we're going to sing a song based on Psalm 147 and um I think a composer shako really wanted a specific song there are many songs for healing but he wanted one for the Brokenhearted was feeling the psychological and that's what we're feeling currently it's 23 years later it still hurts and I spoke to some went through the city today you could feel that the spirit of 911 me the whole city was down do not forget we live in this these 's post a God can heal us right we light the light in so that's the idea of this song and the last lines an El those are the lines that Moses said he was asking for healing for a sister she came down with Leprosy God heal her now please it was a quick prayer so this is a prayer for God healing our hearts now if you could all rise you know time we would like you to sing along the course is really easy to catch on to Hallelujah if you know the beginning parts please join us as well [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] I [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] finishe when SP [Applause] [Music] of the broken hearted of counter of all C [Music] us you know who we are hallelu [Music] [Music] [Music] hallelu of [Music] hallelujah hallelujah halelu [Music] hallelu [Music] this good evening every everyone I was in my first period class when this happened it affected me and it affectivities it affects me still most of you kids were not born yet it's been it's been a healing process to be doing this and I'm happy to be able to be part of this ceremony my name is nandri and I represent the As and I will read the Lany of Peace God of Peace guide us as we strive for a better world help us see our potential to bring about positive change where there's hatred Let There Be Love be trust where there's oppression Let There Be Justice where there is there be Prosperity where there's Discord Let There Be Harmony Eternal God creator of all see the humanity within us soften our hearts removing arrogance and hatred break down walls that divides us unite Us in love guide us through challenges until all recognize our shared kinship serving you in peace Del Light in Me bows to theight in you Namaste Qui [Music] [Music] get e [Music] [Music] [Music] we are Maring in the light of God we are Marching In The Light Of God we are Maring in the light of God we are Marching In The Light the of God we are marching marching we are Marching W marching we are Marching In The Light of the God we are marching marching weing we are in the of God [Music] [Applause] [Music] see [Music] we are Marching In The Light Of God we are Marching In The Light Of God we are in the light God we are Maring in the God we are are are in the of are Marching we are Marching Maring we are Marching In the [Music] [Applause] God on behalf of the entire pling view old Beth Page Interfaith Council we are so grateful for everybody who was able to be here this evening thank you to Emily our choir conductor this evening as well as the PO JFK choir thank you to the Beautiful music thank you to all of our clergy who offered such beautiful words um and of course thank you to the uh plane view fire department that was here to Arie Ducker and to the boys and girl scouts I'm sure I'm forgetting somebody but we are just so grateful to everybody who's able to be here this evening so that we could have this beautiful commemorative service last but not least we of course want to thank Father Valentine and St Pas for being our gracious hosts for really um helping to put this evening together I think this is the third or fourth year you've done this and it just gets more and more of magnificent every year so we have so much gratitude um for each and every one of you that are here this evening and for all that you do within our community we'd like to finish with our benediction and then when we are done we're going to ask you to rise for our closing song before our final blessing I ask all the clergy to please rise return to the congregation extend your hands as you give our blessing to our holy people of [Music] God may the Lord bless you and guard you [Applause] [Music] may the Lord shine his face upon you and show Grace to You may the Lord turn to you and Grant you peace please [Music] God Bless [Music] America through the from the mountain to the to the O God bless America my godess Amer stand beside and through the night with the light the to the pr to the [Music] America my sweet one more time from the mountains from the mountain everybody to the to the oan God bless my we home God America My Hope sweet [Music] thank you everyone thank you so we live peacefully we just prayed here for the peace make sure that you experience that peace in the parking lot so no fingers no dirty look all right just be a peaceful people thank you and leave we have the water over there so I have a water thank you God bless all